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Certification Information & Study Materials

        AALAS Bookstore Link - Link to the National AALAS Bookstore

Technician Certification Handbook - The AALAS Technician Certification Handbook will provide you with the necessary guidance to organize and focus your efforts toward achieving your goals for technician certification. The Handbook describes how to prepare to take an AALAS Technician Certification exam, how to apply and qualify for an exam, and how the exams are conducted. An application form is included.  Keep a copy of the AALAS Technician Certification Handbook as a handy reference during your exam application process.

Click here for an AALAS Technician Certification Handbook. (Be patient, it take a few moments to load).

The AALAS Technician Certification Application Handbook is a PDF file, which must be viewed with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free software).  To download Acrobat Reader (free) from the Adobe web site, click here.

If you have difficulty downloading this PDF file, try Fax On Demand:  number is (901) 754-2546. This is an automated fax response system that guides you through a set of pre-recorded voice messages. You may access the system by calling from a touch-tone phone, selecting either documents, catalogs, or a listing of available documents, to be faxed back to any fax machine that is convenient to you... anytime, anywhere. Using this method, certification forms, membership applications, etc., may be retrieved instantaneously in print. If it can be faxed through traditional faxing methods, it can be made available through the fax on demand.

Or you may contact the national office a request a handbook be mailed to you.

Exam Content Outlines (ECOs) - The Exam Content Outlines cover the areas of study, the knowledge, and the skills expected at each certification level (ALAT, LAT, and LATG). The ECOs are broken down into the three performance domains, or principal areas of responsibility in the field — Animal Husbandry, Facility Management, and Animal Health and Welfare. They were designed to be a study guide for technicians preparing for their exams and as a tool for instructors conducting certification training programs. [Available on the AALAS website and on AALAS’ Fax on Demand (Documents #420, #425, and #430).]

Certification Reference List - This is a list of recommended resources (books, training manuals, journals, etc.) to aid in studying for an exam. Materials are listed for all three levels of certification. Each level builds upon the previous level(s). [Available on the AALAS website, on AALAS’ Fax on Demand (Document #435), and in the Technician Certification Handbook.]

Additional Readings for Professional Development - This is a list of publications provided for the laboratory animal professional in addition to the Certification Reference List. These publications may serve as a source for a variety of information needed for the daily managment and operations of an animal facility, for teaching activities, or for the development of research projects, etc. [Available on the AALAS website, on AALAS’ Fax on Demand (Document #437), and by request to the AALAS office]

Guide to Computerized Testing - An informative guide for taking an AALAS computerized exam. It covers the basic information needed to become familiar with the keys and functions prior to entering the testing site. It’s an excellent tool for alleviating some of the anxiety in those who are uncomfortable with using computers. [Available on the AALAS website and on AALAS’ Fax on Demand (Document #455).]

Steps to AALAS Certification - This provides step-by-step directions on how to apply for and take an AALAS exam, where to get information and necessary forms, and who to call if assistance is needed. [Available on the AALAS website and on AALAS’ Fax on Demand (Document #415).]

Technician Training Materials - Even though other materials are recommended as supplements, the training manuals are the main resource for AALAS exam preparation. Manuals are available at ALAT (revised 1998), LAT (revised 2000), and LATG (revised 2000) levels.  The ALAT and LATG manuals have also been translated into Spanish, and the Spanish LAT will be ready soon. To further help the student prepare for the certification exam, workbooks that correspond with each of the manuals are available.  These study aids reinforce the lessons in the manual through exercises and tests.

Additional Training Materials - The Laboratory Animal Regulatory Workbook is designed to help laboratory animal technical personnel prepare for all three levels of the certification examinations. It also can be used by new IACUC members to assist in developing a knowledge base for relevant regulations in regards to laboratory animal care and use. Also available is an ALAT CD-ROM, which takes an interactive approach to learning.

Management Training Materials - Manuals are available for the first three levels of management certification; the final segment of the program is still under development.